The very fact I am rating this book five stars shocks me. You may know that I rarely enjoy/agree with Biblical fiction. I rarely read popular books. And I very rarely get on the bandwagon to read a book just because it is bigger.

But. This. Biblical. Fiction. Is. Splendid.

Yeah, it is super gritty, but not overly detailed except for a couple of war scenes.

The learning to love, forgive, and follow God all made this one very powerful story that I really just want to reread already!

Recommended: 18

I voluntarily received and reviewed a complimentary e/copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. ( )

Pearl in the Sand is a stunning account of Rahab's path to finding true love with her husband Salmone and her journey from being a zonah (harlot) to becoming a redeemed child of God and part of the lineage of Jesus Christ. Along with this poignantly beautiful narrative, Afshar also includes the thrilling account of Rahab's interaction with the Hebrew spies and her family being spared during the fall of Jericho!

This book is a wonderful testament to God's ability to change the lives of His children and it is a story with compelling characters and the deep spiritual message of hope, healing, and forgiveness. Pearl in the Sand has become one of my all-time favorite reads and I highly recommend it to all who enjoy biblical fiction. I also believe that Rahab's story should be shared with women who have experienced abuse and rejection in their own lives. They need to know that God can heal all of their hurts!

I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. There was absolutely no obligation for a favorable review. These are my own thoughts. ( )

Tessa Afshar and Moody Publishers just released the 10th Anniversary Edition of Pearl in the Sand. Not having read the first edition but having read several of Afshar's books, I was looking forward to reading Pearl in the Sand. I was not disappointed at all. It is a marvelously written historical novel about the woman, Rahab, whose story can be found in the Old Testament book of Joshua from the Bible. The characters are strong, multifaceted, and evocative, and watching their relationships develop and evolve is engaging. I loved how the author portrayed Salmone as a man who truly knew how to love a woman. Threaded throughout the story, readers will find rich historical details, adventure, tension-filled scenes, and some sweet romance. Pearl in the Sand is a captivating story that realistically shows the emotions and the hard life of this woman of the Scriptures. Afshar tastefully covers the shameful life of Rahab, a Canaanite prostitute, the humiliation and isolation she must've endured while keeping the reader's attention with dynamic dialogue and a story that flows well. Pearl in the Sand is a story of finding redemption and one's worth in God's sight. It is a story of finding true love and forgiveness amidst a life of brokenness and guilt. It is a story you do not want to miss.
I was given a complimentary copy of the book by the publisher and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own. ( )

Ten years ago, Pearl in the Sand made it into my top five books of the year. It is going to land there again this year. The 10th Anniversary edition of Pearl in the Sand includes a striking new cover, additional scenes, and book-wide edits, but the heart of this amazing story remains the same.

Pearl in the Sand immediately captivated my attention with Rehab’s character. She is intelligent, beautiful, witty, and loyal. Yet, she is so broken – spiritually, emotionally, sexually. Her character growth flows through the story and culminates with a deep healing. The spiritual truths embedded in the narrative touched my heart as I watched Rehab absorb them. Opposite Rehab is Salmone, a classic male lead, who proves to be heroic, romantic, and flawed. As Salmone learns to be who Rehab needs him to be, he creates a safe place for her to heal and flourish. A top-notch love story!

With its combination of powerful themes, dynamic characters, sparking romance, and spiritual truths, I can wholeheartedly recommend Pearl in the Sand to Christian fiction readers. I marked many passages to reread and savor after finishing the story. Five stars!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own. ( )

This story focuses on forgiveness, redemption and what God can do in our lives if we let him. He can heal us from the inside out if we surrender to his touch. The author says, …”For me, the story of Rahab becomes truly interesting after her marriage to Salmone. Only God would think of putting together a former Canaanite harlot with one of the leaders of Judah, a man who belonged to one of the foremost families in Israel….”Through Rahab and Salmone’s various struggles…I wanted to capture the wild nature of grace, of divine love, of the insane new beginnings that God allows. There is a lot of romance in this story. But perhaps the greatest one is between God and Rahab. And often, God and the reader.”

I whole heartly agree with that. The author gets to the heart of the matter in this thought-provoking, moving story that will stick with you long after you close the book. This works well for your next book club pick. The author has questions in the back of the book to help create a lively intuitive discussion. This is a book you do not want to miss.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org ( )